The following are some insights I’ve gained while backcountry skiing. After writing a conditions report on the Silver Couloir, Colorado, I was reminded of the first time I tried to ski it. I got horribly lost after dropping into the wrong line. The couloir we skied cliffed out with a 130-foot drop, and we ended up stranded on the mountain for nearly 11 hours. I hope this helps you avoid the same mistakes.
Have a Voice in the Group
Our group was an all-star cast — the kind of people you’d want to be with if things went sideways. I was skiing with people who worked in emergency medicine, all strong skiers, and I was easily the least experienced. In retrospect, I wish I had been more vocal about that, but I wanted to fit in.
Groupthink is real. It can create a false sense of security and reinforce narrow thinking. Don’t be afraid to speak up or challenge decisions—being a contrarian can add valuable perspective.
Take Your Time
At the summit, a dense cloud rolled in and caused a temporary whiteout. The forecast had called for intermittent snow showers, and if we had waited just 30 minutes, we likely would have seen our line clearly and chosen the correct descent.
Patience matters. It can turn sheer ice into corn or a whiteout into a clear window. Take a moment and see how the weather develops before committing.
Don’t Panic
Once we realized we were off route and stuck, you could hear the tension in people’s voices. Some early ideas came from fear rather than clear thinking. Fear leads to poor decision-making.
Slow down, take a step back, and think clearly. Staying calm is one of the most important skills you can have in the backcountry.
Think Through Scenarios
When I’m traveling in the backcountry, I constantly play the “if–then” game in my head: If this happens, then what’s the plan?
Thinking through potential scenarios ahead of time helps you react more effectively when things don’t go as planned.
Stay Together
On the skin track, our group spread out to about 100–200 yards, and with the wind picking up, we were out of earshot. At one point, I felt a deep vibration followed by a loud “whumph” as the snowpack settled beneath me. If a slide had released, no one would have seen or heard it.
Spacing happens, but it needs to be managed. Rotate the lead, keep communication tight, and avoid having anyone too far ahead or behind. Staying together can make all the difference when something goes wrong.
